Dear Friend,
We are continuing the battle to maintain access to healthcare for women in New Jersey. As you may know, Governor Christie callously vetoed a bi-partisan bill passed in the Senate and Assembly that would have restored $7.5 million in funding for women's health services across this state, without increasing the state budget one dime. In fact, his veto will cost us money - for every $1 we don't fund, we will spend an additional $4.
The Governor claims his veto was purely a fiscal decision and the state cannot afford this program. Yet, after the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services identified money in the Governor’s budget to offset the costs, the administration failed to appear and defend their claims at a Senate hearing on these essential services. This lack of response makes clear that this is a false ideological decision, not a budgetary one.
As we wrote in a letter to our colleagues, contrary to the claims of some of the most vocal opponents of this legislation, the funding would only have been used to provide women's health services for the uninsured including pap smears, pre- and post-natal care, birth control and cancer screenings. Despite our opponents attempt to spin this issue into something it's not, none of this funding would pay for abortions. Sadly, studies have shown however, that without these services, abortions will actually increase in New Jersey.
No other Governor in the country has targeted women in this manner. He's using women's healthcare to court the far right of his party by denying women the full range of family planning and reproductive services they need.
There have been numerous stories and editorials in newspapers around the state about the need to override the Governor's veto:
In addition to these calls in the media, we've seen growing opposition to this ideological veto that will leave women fending for themselves when it comes to their healthcare needs. We have been joined in our efforts by the New Jersey League of Women Voters, the Women's Political Caucus, Women Advocating for Good Government, the Health Professional and Allied Employees, the American Association of University Women, the National Council of Jewish Women, the March of Dimes and Catholics for Choice.
Despite that opposition to the veto, Republican Legislators have been bowing to the strong arm tactics of their Governor, instead of standing up for the women they represent. Their opposition to vital women's health care is not only shortsighted and foolish, but threatens to cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in the months ahead.
We need your help to fight back!
Click Here and we will let you know where your legislator stands and give you the email and phone numbers of those who have turned their backs on this important legislation under pressure from the Governor.
We need to show these Legislators that funding for women's health services is a priority, even if the Governor refuses to acknowledge it. Their opposition makes clear that they are more afraid of voting against their Governor than they are willing to stand up for
New Jersey’s mothers and daughters.
This battle will not be over until the final vote is taken, and legislators are called on to either stand with us, or against uninsured women in NJ. We hope you will join us in this fight.
Sincerely,
